La-De-Daa ♫ Perfect Cake-Baking Weather!

La-de-da, la-de-da, another day ♫, and here comes the weekend! No snow for us, but I know lots of you are socked in! Perfect! It’s cake baking weather! Cake baking, with this music, and soon, a pair of darling green salt and pepper birds winging their way to one of you lucky girls. ♥ What a day!

Just in case anyone forgot how truly darling these birds are, here’s the photo again! You can almost hear them tweeting a song about spring! ♣

Also, I wanted to show you another item I designed for Wedgwood that I really wish I had today!

It would have had the thinnest glass top, etched lightly with flowers, and would have been perfect to cover and keep our delicious M I L K C A K E fresh!

So! I found this “old Vineyard recipe” for Hot Milk Cake in our local paper. I’m always attracted to interesting old recipes that say, “This is plain food, simply prepared, and absolutely delicious.” What’s not to like? Thought it could be perfect for a tea party; had to try it. ♥

Here’s the original recipe as printed, although I finished up the directions with suggestions for things such as what size pan to use, what is “a little salt,” and what temperature to bake it at. I’ll rewrite the recipe and put it at the end of this post so you can print it out. I broke the rule and “thought” about frosting it, but didn’t; and since I was “fresh out” of yellow tomato conserve, I made a sauce to puddle in the bottom of a bowl full of cake. Y U M ! It’s still not fancy, never fear . . .

So here’s what you do:

Set the temperature for 325 degrees. See how easy it is? Piece of cake!

T H E C A K E

First you get yourself a “rounded teaspoon” of butter (love the way old recipes are written — this was much easier than one that reads add a “knob” of butter!); drop the butter into a half cup of whole milk and heat it on top of the stove until hot.

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Whisk a couple of eggs within an inch of their lives.

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Gradually whisk in the sugar . . . beat well.

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In goes the first half cup of flour, the baking powder, salt, and vanilla.

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Stir well . . . then add the other half cup of flour and the hot milk with butter . . .

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And that’s all there is to it! Pour the cake batter into a buttered 8″ square (or round) cake pan. Bake 40-45 min.

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Pull it out of the oven when the edges start to pull away from pan, or check it with a toothpick in the center . . . allow your kitty to watch . . .

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Let the charmingly plain little cake cool while you make the sauce . . . (There’s Jocelyn’s two Love books, all ready to send to her! Remember? She was the winner of our last drawing!)

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So, for the sauce, which is also really easy, scrape the seeds from a 1″ piece of vanilla bean, put it in a small pan with heavy cream and sugar, bring to a boil, stir and cool. Chill.

I tried the cake, as suggested, plain and unadorned, and it was wonderful. I have to say I would like to bite off all the chewy edges first (like corn on the cob), so good! BUT . . .

. . . then I added the sauce and this is when the heaven’s parted and this cake melted in my mouth becoming God’s Gift to the World; I was proud to be human and able to cook. The sauce turns it into a kind of pudding cake. Just delicious.

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You could also add the zest of either one orange or one lemon to the cake batter if you wanted. Probably currants too and even mini chocolate chips if you were so inclined. It’s a plain cake — and if it would be good with yellow tomato conserve, as the original recipe says, I think you could put it with anything. Mmmm, strawberries and whipped cream! ♥

OK, I guess that should keep you busy — that, and then of course, you have to leave a comment at the bottom of this post if you’re interested in the birds! We’ll let our Random Number Generator choose a winner for this drawing in a few days. See how the bottoms twist off for easy filling? Pretty wonderful!

OK girls, off I go. Scroll down to get the recipe if you want it.

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Also, btw, not sure if you know, but I moved the list of my Favorite Movies up to the top of the blog, under where it says, “All About Me” — click there, you’ll see the movies in the drop-down. In case you’re looking for them!

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Had to toss in a photo of this cheerful little cupcake. I bought the cupcake pan with the deep narrow pockets and the cupcake papers to go with it a while back at Ikea. I just found them on their website — the cupcake pan is red and only $10, and that’s the cupcake papers in the upper right hand corner of their page; aren’t they cute? I love mine and thought you might like them too. I bet you could make plain cupcakes from the milk cake recipe! I forget what recipe I used here; it was last winter, there were no flowers, so I stole this one from my African violet! I think I was thinking “spring” then too! Have a wonderful weekend girlfriends! XOXO

S A U C E for H O T M I L K C A K E

1″ piece vanilla bean

2 c. heavy cream

1/4 c. sugar

Slit vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape seeds into small saucepan. Stir in cream and bring to a boil. Add sugar, stir well, let it cool. Chill well.

H O T M I L K C A K E

1/2 c. hot milk with 1 rounded tsp. butter melted into it

2 eggs

1 c. sugar

1 c. flour, divided

1 tsp. baking powder

pinch salt

1 tsp vanilla

Butter an 8″ square or round cake pan. Prepare milk and butter. Whisk eggs well in a med. bowl. Gradually whisk in sugar and beat well. Stir in 1/2 c. flour, the baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Stir in other 1/2 c. flour, then the hot milk/butter. Pour into cake pan; bake 40-45 min. Pour the chilled sauce into a dish and put a slice of cake on top. Enjoy.

1,422 Responses to La-De-Daa ♫ Perfect Cake-Baking Weather!

What beautiful photos. I felt as if I were walking along. And the picture of your cats in front of the fireplace is wonderful. Our cat loves to lounge on the top of our couch too. Your blog is so inviting and the pictures remind me of our trip to Martha’s Vineyard in the ’70s. Time to make another visit!

I love the bird salt and pepper shakers. Your china and collectibles are great. Now the only thing that SOMETIMES (LOL) inhibits me from buying more things is space. My husband tells me to just rotate all the beautiful things and then it gives the room a new look. Please include me in your drawing. I love the birds!
Kind Regards,
Gail

In June, we moved and our street name has me longing for all this nest and bird! Your little pair would fit right in with us and “the girls”-our 2 little schnauzer mix rescues! I just love reading about your world and sooo love your art!

We had “cake baking weather” here in Wisconsin too and I made some yummy banana almond muffins. Your Milk Cake looks fabulous and worth a try. The little birdie S & P shakers are adorable and I hope I’m lucky enough to give them a new home.

Thank you for the opportunity to win these adorable birdie salt and pepper shakers. I collect shakers and these would be given a place of honor in my
collection. Can’t wait to try the milk cake recipe.

I tried for hours to leave a comment …hoping to win these sweet little birds but the site was swamped ..couldn’t get thru and then I forgot!..Not sure how I possibly could as these little sweeties are singing my name! How happy was I to see it isn’t to late! SO glad to still have the chance …<3 ~Kathleen~

Me, Me, ME!! I want to be in the contest! I love the birds and am also a collector of salt and pepper shakers – but I don;t have these…Yet, she said hopefully!
BTW, I need to tell you that I followed your lead and took the train to NYC last Saturday! It was glorious!! I loved every start and stop and every whistle I heard. A few of my girlfriends gathered at 5:15 AM, Union Station Washington, DC for a trip to see a collection of Early American Samplers that would be auctioned off (final auction price was over 4 million) at Sotheby’s Auction House. We had so much fun and loved seeing the work of 9, 10, and 11 year olds in early America. We came back that evening, tired but so inspired….and then I got to ride the train again. They didn’t know what a train freak I am!! They do now! Still waiting for the cross-country, room with a view trip, but I have no doubt that it will come!! XOXOXO, Willa

If these pretty green birds would like to migrate to Canada, I would give them a good home for a while then let them fly onwards, gifting them to a good friend.
It is snug and snowing here too in central Ontario.

I think you can tell from my email address that these adorable little birds need to come home with me. I collect birds – a hobby that I began and continued in memory of my wonderful mother-in-law who collected Edward Marshall Boehm’s beautiful porcelain birds in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Our Christmas cards even have a little bird on them – somewhere – always! I hope they can come to California and join the flock at our home!

Susan I simply love your blog, your books and the cute little birdies. Your blog and books bring back such wonderful childhood memories of staying with my great aunt in her lovely Victorian home at the Jersey Shore. (Funny thing is her house was only 1/2 mile from where I lived) She cooked and decorated just like you. She was way ahead of her time — bless her soul. I hope to give the little birdies a new home. Best regards

Love your blog and would love to win the little birdie salt and peppers – they would look so pretty on the window ledge with my window bird feeder just outside.

I want to thank you for introducing me to Gladys Taber a few years ago. I have recently started purchasing and reading her books. What a delight! Actually, I think you are our “Gladys Taber” for today! How blessed we are to have you, to have had her, and to have so many wonderful books by each of you! Have you read ‘Conversations with Amber’? I just started it. Its’ wonderful! Makes me think of you and Jack.

Keep on writing, painting, and blogging! We love you and all the wonderful ways that you share yourself with so many of us!

your lovely birds are chatting with each other. they are lost in their own conversation but we are admiring their beauty from our own homes. the colors are so soft and appealing. they should have names and if they come home to my house, they will. your illustrations are enough to draw me closer to all that is homey, warm and wonderful.

Love the snow pictures. Yes, we did have rain and now Catalina is bright and clear as the sun goes down. Love these little birds too and they would fit in my daughter’s lovely New England house in Chelmsford MA among her grandmother’s, my Mom’s collections that she inherited. She has a friend who has a store on Martha’s Vineyard. I imagine you will know her. I’ll send it to you soon.
Cherio! Stay warm and cozy. XOXO

Your posts are a virtual respite….I just took a walk in the snow and I can smell the cake baking in the oven. Thank you for the treat. The little bird salt and pepper shakers are so vivid and bright. I love the vintage green color. They remind me of my grandmother’s house! Thank you for offering them to your readers

I can’t wait to make the cake this weekend when my good friend comes over for a movie! Love the snow pictures ….just beautiful. I’m in love with the birds. Thanks for all of the wonderful hours of enjoyment looking at your books!

Susan,
Thank you for sharing this lovely recipe! I shall have to make it very soon, it sounds so lovely! I think the little birds are the cutest things ever! They look like they might love California, don’t you think? Marsha

This now southern girl who grew up in SW Michigan, loves the snow pics. I remember scenes like that in our small town. Today in TX we started out with sun and 69 degrees and by afternoon the gray clouds blew in and by evening and now into the night, lovely, much needed rain. That is a wonderful sound to hear as I go off to bed. Wouldn’t the green birdies love to come south?

I LOVE the crocheted potholder under the recipe! I have been knitting dishcloths for every person I know who wants one- but I am running out of people, so I may start on potholders! I can’t wait to make the cake, and the cupcake is sooo dainty and just delightful.

Yes, I’d LOVE the little bird salt and pepper shakers….I never started to collect them, but my gramma had a china closet full of them and when I was a little girl, I would stand in front of it for the longest time…”Musn’t touch, dearie”….just looking. Your Winter pictures were soooo pretty….I must visit your beautiful island.

Wonderful blog! I love your pics of the snow, but so happy it is you in it and not me :). Please enter me in your giveaway, the birdie s & P is so cute! I have always wanted to visit Marthas Vineyard, but in the summer

Thanks for the great pictures, I love the snow ones, having lived in Calif also I love it when we get snow in Missouri. The cake looks delicious – it’s fun to bake on a cold wintery day – makes everyone feel cozy. The birds are so cute, they would look great with my penguin and cardinal salt & pepper shaker sets.

Hi Susan ~ love, love, love the birdies!!! I’m usually one of the last ones slipping in on your giveaways….but maybe this time it will pay off. I’d love to be included. Love your blog and everything you write about. Thanks so much!

I so wanted to make this cake this weekend but alas- I was haveing difficulty accessing the page ( due to my computer’s issues- not the page’s) Now that I have the page accessed- I have printed out the receipt and will be baking up a storm – I hope we get another snowfall!
Thanks Susan!

Loved the Hot Milk Cake recipe. I topped it with some of our wonderful Oregon Blueberries that I had frozen last year so I could enjoy them all year long.
The bird salt and pepper shakers remind me of a pair that my Grandmother had and have since been misplaced. I would love to have them to use with the others that I have salvaged from my Grandmother’s things.

I am just positive the sweet little birdie salt and peppers would enjoy perching up on my kitchen shelf where I keep my *especially* special kitchen things! They would find good company waiting for them…a little pink melmac cream and sugar set, a pink depression glass sugar, a china creamer painted with tiny purple flowers, two illustrated cookbooks for children (so charming!), two roosters and roses patterned plates, a 50’s “moo cow creamer” and three sets of salt and peppers…most given to me by my lovely Grandma.

Thank you for this delightful contest…and thank you most of all for taking the time to share your cheerful life with us!

To say that I am interested in the birds is an understatement. I am not, however, getting excited about owning them because I do not want to be let-down if I lose (even though, today you told me “we are all winners”). I am hoping that the person who wins this is on a salt-free diet because then you could send them just the pepper bird and have a second random winner for the salt bird. Won’t happen but it is what I’m hoping…I want to clearly state for the record that I am not on a salt free diet. So, IF I am randomly chosen, I will need both birds. Just saying…
Have a great day, Winner England

I was just catching up with your bolg and wante dto add to the comments about the beautiful winter scenes. The one where you are looking out into the street with the people with an umbrella reminds me of ‘Ground Hog Day’. I always wanted to live in a quaint town that loked like that! I have too many ideal settings for my retirement town, though…too many to choose. If I were onyl rich and could have a house in all the places I love!

I can’t say thank you enough for your blogs…when they come in, I drop what I’m doing and read away. You take us all to a place where it’s magical and wonderful!!
I do love those birdies…they remind me of my grandmother…
Have a wonderful YOU day.
Chris

Susan, your posts always inspire me! As a stay at home mommy to three precious children, I want to say…Thank you! Not only for doing what you do, and being who you are, but also for gently reminding me that what I’m doing IS important. It really is the simple things in life that matter most, and we truly can find beauty in everything around us.

That Small Domed Cakeplate you designed for WEDGWOOD (WEDGEWOOD?)
is absolutely “divine” ! We were looking for just that cakeplate all through the Christmas season, for my younger daughter. She wanted a special cakeplate and her 16 year old daughter, and my older daughter and I, looked and looked. We even had a special “eye out” for GREEN! So we are definately going to have to get in touch with Wedgwood! (WEDGEWOOD?) (Have I been spelling that wrong these past few days?) Because we want the one YOU designed and it is still to be made!!! (Good thing we didn’t buy any imposters!)

Oh what darling little birdies. Today is lovely here in Sonoma county. I know we need the rain, but I am loving the sun and warmish temps. I am making a chair slipcover in a pretty yellow and rose print and pretending it is Spring.

What a great post. I always reserve a bit of time so I can savor the moments I get to read your blog, Susan. And today, a special suprise these happy little birds! Please toss my name in the hat for your giveaway!
oxo,
Lisa

It’s snowing here, and an ice storm has also covered all our beautiful trees. They look beautiful, but they are breaking at lightning speed. To heavy to hold the ice. We have been with out power for 5 days so far. I’m so very grateful for a wood stove to keep us warm, and a husband who hard to make it that way.My cast iron skillet is on the wood stove frying up bacon. Oh the house smells so good. The little bird shakers would sure brighten my powerless days right about now.

Dear Susan,
My friend, Irene told me about your web site and the last couple of days I have been enjoying it very much. I would like to win the salt and pepper shakers for my friend Irene. We have only known each other a very short time, but she has help me understand this computer world and open a whole new life for me. She knows that sometimes all it takes to make my day is a email, a phone call. a hug, smile. She is a Angel disquise as a friend
So Irene if you are reading this if i should be the lucky one to win theses pretty birdies will be in your home with all your kitty cat babies.
Hope I win for you

Oh Susan, I do love your blog…sadly could not find your wall calendar this year. I was so busy teaching I did not look before Christmas, then on break I drove all over Lexington to find one and was soooo devastated to find them sold out…..lesson learned for this teacher. But that lesson led me to your blog…an amazing find, an adventure of your love, talent and giving. Thanks for this enjoyable break in my day when I’m escaping to your lovely town.

I love the little birds. All my life I have collected things with horses or dogs on them and then one day in an antique store I saw a beautiful little bird salt shaker all by itself, looking lonely and begging my to take it home. I couldn’t resist the pleading so I did. Later I found a set of birds and then another set, now I have 2 1/2 sets of bird salt and pepper shakers. I always wondered how many of something does it take to make a collection?

Susan, I just have to check your blog every day. You are so inspiring. I would love to win the little birdies as I collect birdies to put in my sun room. Thank you for your blog, books, give aways etc. you are a fun girlfriend!!!

Oh, I would love to have those little birdies to watch over us in our cozy kitchen! I am making the milk cake today, my 8 week old baby watching from her bouncy seat, to greet my little kindergartener when she gets home. Nothing like a nice treat after school! Already teaching my two little girls to love home, cooking, and shopping for treasures!

Susan,
I had to tell you I made your Hot Milk Cake for my family tonight…..my husband who rarely eats desserts had seconds and my daughter said, “this cake is the bomb Mom!”. I thought you would get a kick out of that. Thank you for the wonderful and easy recipe!

Love the salt and pepper bird shakers. I am heading to Ikea today to get the cupcake pans. Teaching a tea cozy and apron class and we are having a tea party.mthe little cupcakes would be perfect. Love reading your blog wouldn’t miss it .

I just had to tell you how wonderful the hot milk cake was! I printed out the recipe and showed it to my husband and he made it for me. What an amazing guy I have!!! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and your pics.

Oh my gosh….this is the Hot Milk Cake my husband’s Nana used to make back in the 60s! Thank you so much for bringing it home, Susan. How did you know I collect little birds? They’ll go so nicely with the other chirpers …..:-)

Susan, I made this cake on Monday for my granddaughter, Ida Rose’s first birthday! I was visiting my daughter and her family in North Carolina. I brought with me a red Swedish horse baking pan that I had bought in Ikea, and a small little horse came with the pan (about the size of a cupcake pan). So I used this recipe and made two cakes, a big one, and a little one just for Ida. We frosted it with whipped cream, and she had her first taste of cake! Here’s a photo of Ida enjoying her cake! Thanks for sharing this wonderful old recipe. http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyliehunt/6792977395/in/photostream

Hmmm that cakes looks so yummy and brings back some good memories. I remember my mother and grandmother making a two-layer cake from that recipe, filling the layers with raspberry jam and then dusting the top with powdered sugar. They called it a “Martha Washington Pie”. Even our local bakery in Dorchester sold them.

I’d love to win the bird S&P shakers! I can see them sitting on my kitchen windowsill–I hope I win!

I am way behind on your blog, Susan (life is happy and full around here), but I am having a wonderful relaxing morning catching up! I am going to try the Hot Milk Cake! You have it pictured on a plate that I have, as well. I bought one plate, a cup and saucer in that pattern at a little antique store in Western Oregon a few years ago when a friend and I went there for a quilt show in which a friend’s quilts were featured. The girlfriend I went with took along a picnic tea that was lovely: complete with pretty dishes, a table cloth, and delicious goodies! I have the plate, cup and saucer for a sweet remembrance of that day. As always, I am delighting in your blog entries and photos.

Made this Hot Milk cake! So yummy! I am amazed that it can taste so good and yet be so simple! And your sauce….what can I say?! TO-DIE-FOR! My husband loved it and thought I was a very ingenious baker but, alas, I have given the credit to you, my inspiration! This recipe is a keeper….one for my Susan Branch recipe binder – I printed off the pic you posted on your cute hotpad to put with it. xoxo…kp